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San Francisco abounds with places to hunt for vintage threads and other treasures. But only one, Studio Fallout, resides in the historic basement studio of Winston Smith, famed punk-surrealist artist. Smith’s art is available for purchase, items from a career that also includes some 50 album cover designs for the likes of the Dead Kennedys and Green Day. While Smith still hosts exhibitions and other special events at Fallout, these days, he also shares the space with a collective of fellow artists and creatives.
Fallout is located at 50-A Bannam Place, an old Victorian on a quiet alley in North Beach. To access it, you creep down a short flight of rickety stairs leading to the bowels of the building. Stepping into the basement studio feels a bit like entering an underground nightclub. Moody lighting, concrete floors, and exposed ceiling beams play up the punk rock vibes. But instead of a bar and a mosh pit, you’ll find an eclectic mix of curated vintage clothing, records, furniture, quirky home décor, art, and other fun items.
Vendors include Out of Sight Records, which is owned by Dave Tutton, who also manages the collective.
“Our thing is punk-rock-meets-grandma-collectibles,” Tutton told 48hills during a recent visit to Fallout. “We have artists and people who run estate sales and people with vintage clothing—it’s been pretty fun.”
A longtime DJ, Tutton got into selling records during the pandemic when his music gigs dried up. Out of Sight’s wares are situated near the entrance of the studio and feature bins of vinyl from assorted musicians in a range of genres reflecting Tutton’s diverse musical tastes.
I was tempted by a psychedelic print Pucci top and a kitschy Batman statue, but I resisted. I couldn’t say no, however, to a small and affordably priced antique table that I actually needed.
A large rack of clothing from Protocol Vintage Alliance stretches down the middle of the narrow space. Whether you’re into cottage core, the seventies, Y2K, or timeless classics, you’re bound to find something that belongs in your closet. Other strains of vintage fashions, art, and unusual collectibles from vendors such as Days of Fury, Beach House Vintage, and Brian Labrie Designs are also sprinkled around the space.
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